THE SECRETARY BIRD, AND THE VULTURINE CARACARA EAGLE. 



Secretary Birds. 



The Secretary Bird, or Serpent-eater, as it is more descriptively called, though having long legs like a 

 wading bird, seems to rank between the Vulture and the Eagle, and^therefore, is frequently called the 

 Secretary Vulture. It feeds exclusively upon reptiles, and especially serpents, offering no molestation to 

 quadrupeds, poultry or other warm-blooded animals ; and it pursues its prey on foot, striding over the 



ground like an Ostrich. It chiefly inhabits the arid plains 

 in the neighborhood of the Cape of Good Hope. In its 

 wild state the Serpent-eater is shy and difficult of approach; 

 but it is easily tamed, and is often kept in poultry-yards 

 by the inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope, for the pur- 

 pose of destroying lizards, snakes, rats, &c. It soon be- 

 comes habituated to the poultry ; but if left too long fasting, 

 it does not scruple to satisfy its hunger with the young 

 chickens. The name Secretary was given to it by the 

 Dutch settlers at the Cape, from a pendent crest on the 

 back of the head, reminding them of the pen stuck behind 

 the ear, according to the custom of writing clerks. 



Like the Secretary Bird, the Vulturine Caracara Eagle 

 presents one of those intermediate forms, by means of 

 which the relationship of the Vulture and Eagle families is 

 placed beyond a doubt. It is a native of South America, 

 but is rarely met with. 



Vulturine Dimcarn Exeles. • 



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